NRL: Farewell to a much-loved son

Sonny Fai's mother Tausili Fai stands in the centre of the Mt Smart field before yesterday's match. Photo / Paul Estcourt

There was a happy atmosphere among the 19,386 at Mt Smart Stadium yesterday, as the family of Sonny Fai, including his mother, Tausili, invited the crowd to help celebrate his life.

There were flags and photo banners dedicated to the 20-year-old, who disappeared in the Bethells Beach surf on January 4 after helping other family members get out of a rip. His old school, De La Salle College, and the Otahuhu Samoan Methodist Church performed for the crowd.

Ten thousand leis in orange and yellow, to match the bright colours he liked, gave the stands a different look from the usual black. The Warriors were disappointed at not being able to win the tribute match but there was satisfaction in the way they performed and the fact they blooded Daniel O'Regan, another of the up-and-comers with whom Fai had played.

Souths players passed on condolences during the post-match handshake and their veteran lock David Kidwell told the Fai family that the thoughts of their players were with them.